HIV Stigma Fighter

29/05/2026

Time Trave l – A honeymoon 23 years later

My lovely people, if you would have a chance to travel in time what would you do? First, make sure you are healthy as you can’t travel when you don’t take good care of yourself. My story feels like time travel, which is not only about machines or science fiction. Sometimes, it is about memory, longing, and dreams that refuse to die....

My lovely people, if you would have a chance to travel in time what would you do? First, make sure you are healthy as you can’t travel when you don’t take good care of yourself. My story feels like…

17/05/2026

On 17 May, we stand together against discrimination and celebrate LGBTQIA+ people, communities, and allies worldwide. This date marks a turning point in history: on 17 May 1990, the World Health Organization removed homos*xuality from its classification of mental illnesses. Progress has been made since then, but too many LGBTQIA+ people still face prejudice and violence today.

This year’s theme, “At the heart of democracy”, reminds us that democracy is not only about elections or institutions - it is about the lived reality of people having equal rights, dignity, and freedom. There can be no true democracy without respect for human rights. Criminalizing LGBTQIA+ identities equals violating human rights, and that is not a foundation for democracy.

Democracy means no killing, no imprisonment, no silencing because of gender or s*xuality. It means freedom, equality, and justice for all. May this theme inspire politicians and decision-makers to turn words into action, and to build societies where LGBTQIA+ communities can live openly, safely, and joyfully.

We hope for a colorful future one where inclusion, equity, and love are at the very heart of democracy.

Happy IDAHOBIT!

15/05/2026

Creativity has always been what shaped me and my HIV activism.
As HIV Stigmafighter and as Eric the Dragking, I use every artistic form I have to challenge stigma, spark conversations, and demand a world where health is a right, not a privilege.

Living 23 years with HIV together with diabetes, and already 14 years with high blood pressure, I am alive, fierce, and kicking. Not too long ago, I was taking a massive cocktail of pills. Together with my doctor, I made a plan: Move, dance, walk, rebalance my lifestyle. I fought hard to reduce the number of medications I needed.

And now, the pills I no longer take have become part of my drag art. But, this is not just a performance piece. It is a reminder that good health services saves lives. I am healthy because I have access, and this is far from universal.

And this is where AIDS 2026 organised by IAS - International AIDS Society hits home. We are asked to RETHINK, especially rethink inclusion. Because while some of us have the privilege to adjust our treatment plans, others still fight to access even the most basic health care. While some countries throw away perfectly good medicine, others watch people die because they cannot afford it. While some communities thrive with preventive care, others face co-morbidities that could have been avoided with early support. While some q***r communities have safe spaces, others are silenced, criminalized, or left behind.

Health inequities are not accidents, they are choices shaped by politics, economics, stigma, and neglect. And my art exists to expose these imbalances.

As I prepare to bring Eric the Dragking to Rio, I am dancing to demand that we rethink who gets included in the global HIV response. I am calling out the systems that leave migrants, s*x workers, q***r people, and people in low‑income countries without access to lifesaving care. I am reminding the world that prevention, early intervention, and community‑centered care reduce medication needs. And save lives!

I would not be dancing HIV stigma away if I wasn’t healthy and strong. Until everyone has access to decent health services, none of us are done fighting.

So come join me in Rio to vibe together in the Global Village. Let’s rethink inclusion.

HIV Stigmafighter & Eric the Dragking

24/04/2026

Our own power

What is your desire? That question guided our Amani weekend at Sint Lioba Monastery, a space where we could finally breathe, connect, and listen to our inner voices. We all carry dreams and desires, but we also carry the whispers that try to stop us: “No, you can’t”, “you don’t deserve happiness” or “don’t even try.” These voices are not ours....

What is your desire? That question guided our Amani weekend at Sint Lioba Monastery, a space where we could finally breathe, connect, and listen to our inner voices. We all carry dreams and desires…

15/04/2026

My lovely HIV community Come dance HIV stigma away with us IAS - International AIDS Society in Global Village .

31/03/2026

My lovely people,

Do you still remember the theme of AIDS 2022 in Montréal “Re‑engagement and Follow the Science”? And AIDS 2024 in Munich “Put People First”?

I was at both events, representing the global HIV community as an activist and community leader. As always, the Global Village was my home. This is where we connect, create, and stand strong as activists from every corner of the world.

Now I’m thrilled to share that Eric the Dragking’s show to dance HIV stigma away in the Global Village has been officially accepted for AIDS 2026 in Rio. You know what that means. The movement continues, and the stage is set.

But before we dance, let’s talk about the theme for AIDS 2026: “Re‑think. Rebuild. Rise.”

This sounds powerful, but let’s be honest. We have been rethinking for over 40 years. We have been building for over 40 years. And now, much of what we built is being torn down overnight, especially in vulnerable communities in low‑income countries.

Around us we see LGBTQIA+ rights attacked, trans healthcare stripped away, HIV prevention made inaccessible, and HIV stigma growing like w**d. So making some noise at the global stage is needed now more than ever.

So, what does this theme really mean for us?

Re‑think. We are not starting from scratch, we must challenge systems that refuse to evolve.

Re‑build. Not because we failed, but because political decisions destroy networks we carefully built and big pharma retains high prices for live saving medication.

Rise. This is where our power lives. To rise is to resist and claim our space. This is what we do best.

And you know what HIV Stigmafighter does. We lead the noise and we take action. I am thrilled that Eric the Dragking will be there together with HIV Stigmafighter this time around. We will be in Rio de Janeiro to turn the Global Village into a space of joy, defiance, and community power.

My lovely activists, our work is far from done. So I ask you, are you ready to rise together?
Let’s get loud and dance HIV stigma away.

Let’s get visible and rise!

Peace.
Eric

27/03/2026

I am strong!

My lovely people, have you ever witnessed the moment a dreamer finally becomes a doer? That is what my story of today is about. Since childhood, I expressed myself through every art form I could find. By dancing the traditional Umuyebe (a dance intended for Burundian men), drumming in a boys’ groups, or any other way. People told me I was “crazy”, doing things meant only for boys....

My lovely people, have you ever witnessed the moment a dreamer finally becomes a doer? That is what my story of today is about. Since childhood, I expressed myself through every art form I could fi…

08/03/2026

My lovely people,

On this International Women’s Day, we rise together under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls.”

But how can we speak of rights when women are still not treated equally in the HIV response? How can we speak of justice when gender‑based violence continues to silence so many? How can we speak of action when prevention tools for women are still out of reach, even though we make up more than half of all people living with HIV worldwide?

We cannot claim progress if we deny women and girls access to what they need to thrive. Because these inequities persist, our response must be firm and collective. Because when women and girls living with HIV are supported and empowered, entire communities will become stronger and healthier. Recognise women as equal partners in the HIV response, with full access to prevention tools, care, and leadership spaces.

Today is a reminder. And a call. May this International Women’s Day help us to push toward real female empowerment. May every woman’s voice, in every corner of the world, be heard and honoured.

We don’t hide. We shine.

In celebration of International Women's Day ,We release the single song "Inyambo"

https://youtu.be/NcezIEXWLfs

Happy International Women’s Day.

01/03/2026

Today is Zero Discrimination Day, and the theme is “People First”. How long shall we repeat these words while the world keeps moving in the opposite direction?

Who exactly are we putting first in a world where women still aren’t protected, trans people are fighting every day for the right to exist, and migrants and refugees are denied safety and dignity?

We say “People First”, yet there are countries where access to HIV medication is still a privilege instead of a right. We say “People First,” yet governments refuse to recognise U=U while being one of the most powerful tools we have to end stigma and save lives.

Weren’t we supposed to end AIDS by 2030? Because right now, it feels like we’re moving backwards. Discrimination is the barrier blocking every step of progress. Without confronting it, the promise to end AIDS by 2030 becomes nothing more than a fantasy dressed up as progress.

I am tired of slogans without action. Putting people first means protecting them, respecting them, and empowering them to claim equal access to life‑saving care. If we truly want to end AIDS, we must challenge the systems, policies, and attitudes that keep people unseen.

We must stand with women, with trans people, with migrants, with people living with HIV. Solidarity must show up in action, not just words.

Peace,
Eliane

24/02/2026

Stigma will end if we all work together. HIV and AIDS will end if stigma is destroyed. Let's kick HIV stigma out as we enter 2026!